Ellen
Gabehart
Visual Artist, Art Instructor
Biography
My
first professional art training began in New York City, where
I attended the High School of Music and Art and the Student's
Art League. I studied figurative drawing, painting and composition
and perspective. I continued to study drawing and painting at
Choinard Institute in Los Angeles.
My early
professional training was influenced by Frank Reilly and other
art instructors who guided me gently, but firmly onto my own personal
pathway. Although my art education was rather formal in instruction,
I felt free to explore my personal imagery as well as exploring
a wide range of subjects and mediums.
I received
my Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of California, in
Northridge. I majored in Education and Fine Arts. I received a
Teacher's Credential as well as a Special Credential to teach
Art. I continued to study fine arts, printmaking and was involved
in the Art Education Masters Program for five years.
I began teaching
art classes and workshops twenty five years ago. I worked for
the Los Angeles School District and taught elementary school for
seven years. I began to teach drawing and painting to children
as well as adults in California. When I moved to Oregon I was
hired by Gold Beach High School to teach art Classes. I began
my career as an art teacher for adult education at the Southwestern
Community College and Lane Community College. Presently I teach
classes and workshops at Willamalane Sr. Center, Emerald Art Center,
Maude Kerns Art Center and OASIS Senior Program. Like my early
mentors I combine teaching the formal principles of art and encourage
my students to explore their personal artistic visions.
My trips
through Mexico expanded my visual and spiritual experiences. Mexico's
streets and environment was full of vibrant and explosive colors.
I walked around on cobblestone streets and sketched and painted
the wonderful rich architectural structures adorned with statues
of saints and intricate carved designs, the Mexican people shopping
in the marketplace, working on their daily tasks or sitting in
the plaza chatting with a friend. However, my primary change was
of a spiritual nature. When I climbed the ancient pyramids or
when I gazed at the ancient I felt myself going back in time.
Frequently I would become emotionally overwhelmed as I watched
the religious ceremonies. The church bells rang as flower petals
drifted into the air. The padre emerged from the church followed
by the elders carrying flowers and candles singing songs and chanting
prayers.
Each year
painting become more meaningful and necessary to me. I become
emotionally involved with my subjects and seek to extract and
record its spiritual nature through color, design and movement.
For me, where there is life there is art, where there is art,
there is life.
